Lt 35 hesitates on auto feed?

Rob in NC · December 26, 2016, 07:08:43 PM

When I run the mill in forward I've got a few places that hesitate pretty significantly and seem to be getting worse. I also noticed a red light on today when I was sawing late it was behind the control panel and under the up/down motor. Might be completely unrelated but thought I would mention it.

Any ideas on what's causing the hesitation in the drive gear?

Magicman · December 26, 2016, 07:38:58 PM

I am not hands-on familiar with the LT35 but it could be something as simple as a splinter jamming a cam follower. Mechanical it could be a cam follower or a power feed sprocket bearing. Electrical it could be the speed control potentiometer (or worse). Whatever it is, you need daylight to isolate the problem. (I know nothing about the red light.)

MartyParsons · December 26, 2016, 07:57:39 PM

Hello,
Red Light is from the Encoder for the up down sensor. It should blink when the up down motor is moving.
I would check the forward feed belt tension and the aluminum pulley. At times the pulley set screw comes loose and the shaft would go in toward the frame.
If you have a early LT35 they had a direct drive power feed. They had some issues with wiring and motor. The water would travel in the wires and damage the motor.

What year or revision LT35 do you have? They new LT35 have the same assembly as a LT40 Standard mill.

Marty

reswire · December 26, 2016, 08:24:32 PM

I had a similar problem with my LT 40. The aluminum pulley had moved inward, and was binding the chain. It started near the "head" of the mill, once moving, it pulled fine. To fix the problem was very simple, it just needs to maintain correct spacing from the frame.

WV Sawmiller · December 26, 2016, 08:56:46 PM

I'm in agreement with Marty. I had to replace the feed belt on mine at around 325 hours. Now a feed belt is a standard repair item I carry with me. Quick and easy to replace if need to.

landscraper · December 26, 2016, 10:39:32 PM

I had forward-only drive problems on my lt35 - intermittent stumbling and stalling that slowly got worse - it ended up being the circuit board at the top left behind the controls. There's a combination of LED lights on it that will self-diagnose whether the board is functioning ok or not, I can't remember off the top of my head but the folks at WM explained it all to me. So if all the mechanical problems are eliminated check that board.

Mt406 · December 27, 2016, 10:43:06 AM

Mine just started same type of problem It also makes a lot of chain noise at closer inspection looks like the drive sprocket is running off center.
That's as far as I got into trouble shooting. Winter has come with vengeance to SW Montana. Over the last month we have had 16 in snow and 45 mph wind gusts now the drifts have drifts and as cold as -23 with out wind chill.
I will plow again today see how long it stay open. is been drifting back over night.
I will see what it takes to get the drive sprocket back to center.
I have a LT 35 with 80 hrs

Scott

YellowHammer · December 28, 2016, 12:38:51 PM

Quote from: Magicman on December 26, 2016, 07:38:58 PM
I am not hands-on familiar with the LT35 but it could be something as simple as a splinter jamming a cam follower. Mechanical it could be a cam follower or a power feed sprocket bearing. Electrical it could be the speed control potentiometer (or worse). Whatever it is, you need daylight to isolate the problem. (I know nothing about the red light.)

Since it's hesitating on certain spots, I would hand push the head down the rails, from one end to another and see where there is a drag. Then start looking what's causing it such as bark chips, sawdust, chain, sprockets, bearings, etc. if you take the feed belt off, this will be easier. Then put the belt back on and try it again trying to isolate the problem.

Upper · December 28, 2016, 03:29:07 PM

I have had the off center sprocket deal twice.Put some lock tight on the set screw...

Rob in NC · December 30, 2016, 08:04:42 PM

Quote from: MartyParsons on December 26, 2016, 07:57:39 PM
Hello,
Red Light is from the Encoder for the up down sensor. It should blink when the up down motor is moving.
I would check the forward feed belt tension and the aluminum pulley. At times the pulley set screw comes loose and the shaft would go in toward the frame.
If you have a early LT35 they had a direct drive power feed. They had some issues with wiring and motor. The water would travel in the wires and damage the motor.

What year or revision LT35 do you have? They new LT35 have the same assembly as a LT40 Standard mill.

Marty

I believe it is a 2011 model off the top of my head but it did have a recall of some kind that was done. I checked that before I purchased from the guy that had it before me. 104 hours

I should have some time to investigate this weekend. I will start simple and let you know what I find. Thanks for the suggestions

Mt406 · December 31, 2016, 10:25:23 AM

Found my noise it was saw dust frozen to lower round stock on frame and sprocket running off center is saw dust frozen in chain.
took some steel wool and cleaned lower round stock and reoiled sounds good with no hesitation.
Had a chance to do some sawing on Tur. my first Oak and frozen broke out a new 4 it cut good. Saw dust was fine and froze to every thing.
I have new respect for you boys cutting hard woods every day ITS Heavy.
Thanks for all the good information frond on this forum.

Scott

Magicman · December 31, 2016, 02:20:43 PM

Quote from: Mt406 on December 31, 2016, 10:25:23 AM
Found my noise it was saw dust frozen to lower round stock on frame and sprocket running off center is saw dust frozen in chain.

I hate it when that happens to me.

:D